Means for supporting posts in the ground



Jan. 16, 1968 c. H. DOUGLAS 3,363,374

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING POSTS IN THE GROUND Filed April 24, 1964 [IL/571A? 90 06-1173 United States Patent 3,363,374 MEANS FOR SUPPORTING PGSTS IN TrlE GROUND Charles H. Douglas, 601 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Va. 23834 Filed Apr. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 362,324 3 Claims. (Cl. 52-158) This invention relates to improvements in means for supporting posts in the ground, and for subsequently releasing them for axial adjustment in situ should such adjustment be necessary. For during the erection of fences, for example, it is often desirable to adjust the height of one or more of the posts after they have been placed in the ground.

Certain means for obtaining these ends are illustrated in the patent to Clatfelter No. 2,964,145, which contemplates the use of a specially formed split collar which is so designed as to frictionally bind three angle irons, disposed in a tripod relationship, against the periphery of the post when the opening in the collar is constricted by tightening of a bolt. Clatfelter specifically designed his collar so that it does not make any direct contact with the post itself, but rather achieves his end by applying forces through the collar to the tripodically disposed angle irons which, in turn, transmit the forces applied to the post by means of their binding contact therewith. Clatfelters device contemplates that the above-mentioned tripod will have a fixed and predetermined angular and spatial relationship one with the other, and this rigidity of form presents a number of problems when the post is to be erected in a position closely proximate to other structural elements, such as walls having deep foundations. Moreover, Clatfelters device requires the user to undertake the trouble and expense of providing himself with a stock of angle iron material, which material has no other general utility in fence erecting operations.

By the invention which I will now describe in all required detail, I obtain all of the practical advantages that may be obtained by the use of the Clatfelter device and, further, obtain certain other advantages and conveniences which cannot be enjoyed with his device.

More particularly, with my invention it is possible to provide a somewhat similar means for supporting posts in the ground through the use of a split collar which is considerably easier and cheaper to manufacture, and which can be employed in association with a variety of stock materials including specifically, and importantly, the top rail material used in the erection of conventional chain link fences.

The utility of chain link fence top rail material in this respect is of practical significance in view of the fact that by the very nature of their function the post supporting elements are formed of relatively short lengths of material, i.e., from one to two feet in most instances. Persons engaged in the business of erecting conventional chain link fences are, by the nature of their operation, usually supplied with a goodly amount of short lengths of top rail material, which material has, up to now, had no utility and is therefore customarily merely discarded as scrap. Such short lengths will, in accordance with my invention, have a very significant utility, and one of the important results of my invention is the avoidance of the scrapping of almost all of the surplus short lengths of chain link fence top rails which are obtained during the erection of such fences.

Moreover, while the above-mentioned Clatfelter device must, by necessity, be manufactured in three specific sizes for use with each of the three sizes of posts commercially employed in connection with the erection of chain link fences, to wit, 1 /8", 2", and 2 /2", my split collar is so formed that one collar is usable with all three of the stock sized posts. This result is obtained as a result of the far greater flexibility of my split collar, which is formed from drawn material, as distinguished from one which is, of necessity, formed by casting, molding, or similar preforming operations, and because of the design which I give to that flexible split collar.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide improved means for supporting a post with its lower extremity extending downwardly intothe ground, including a collar circumscribing the post substantially at, or slightly below, ground level, and to insert a plurality of downwardly inclined structural members, selected from stock of a variety of sizes and shapes, between the post and the collar for the purpose of providing earth engaging support for the post, said structural members being disposed at any of a variety of angles and directions.

It is another object of this invention to provide such means which are cheaper to manufacture and more convenient to use than the superficially similar means which have been proposed in the past.

These and other objects of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view showing the invention supporting a post in the ground.

FIGURE 2 is similar to FIGURE 1 but with the post supporting elements extending through the split collar but before they have been driven into the ground.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view, taken from an angle to the left of that taken in FIGURES 1 and 2, showing one aspect of the relationship between the collar, the post, and the post supporting elements.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side view, taken from an angle of 90 to the right of that taken in FIGURES 1 and 2, showing another aspect of the relationship between the collar, the post, and the post supporting elements.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side view of the post, the

collar, and the post supporting elements wherein the latter are disposed in different relationship to one another from that shown in FIGURES l-5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 designates a hole bored in the ground by a conventional post hole boring device. Formed in the ground around the upper extremity of the hole 10 is a shallow counterbore 12. Extending downwardly in the hole 10 is the post 14 which may be axially slidable therein. Resting upon the base of the counterbore, which is only slightly below ground level, and circumscribing the post, is a resilient split collar 16, the configuration of which may be most quickly appreciated by reference to FIGURE 5 taken together with FIGURES 3-4.

It will there be seen that the one piece split collar which, in the preferred embodiment, is formed of a heavy drawn rod material and has an opening 17 therethrough which is defined by the space between the eyes 13 which are formed at the free ends of the collar and are disposed in a direction normal to a line extending across opening 17. The collar, which is, by its form, somewhat resilient, will, when relaxed, dispose itself in a position wherein the eyes are approximately 2" apart when the collar as a whole is dimensioned for use with a conventional chain link fence post, i.e., chain link fence posts which consist of tubular pipes having an outside diamteer of 1 /8, 2", and 2 /2. Of course, if this invention is to be used in connection with a substantially larger post, the entire collar will have to be scaled upwardly a commensurate amount. As will be made more evident hereinafter, the collar may also be employed, with similar beneficial results, in association with a suitably dimensioned post which is square in cross section e.g., a post which is two inches square.

As shown in the drawings, a drawbolt extends through both eyes and is equipped with a nut 22 which will, when tightened upon the drawbolt, serve to constrict the collar for purposes which will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Directly opposite from the collars opening 17 there is a portion of the collar, formed with a semicircular configuration, which will hereinafter be defined as the post engaging portion 24, the semi-circle being formed with a radius of curvature of approximately 1". It should here be specifically noted that I here and hereafter use the word semicircle to denote a portion of a circle which either is, or approaches, one-half of a circle.

On either side of the collar, i.e. in the areas thereof which are intermediate (along the periphery of the collar) of the opening 17 and the post engaging portion 24, there are formed outwardly extending post support engaging portions or seats 26 which are also formed of semicircular configuration with radius of curvature of ap proximately 1".

As will be seen from a consideration of FIGURE 5, which illustrates the collar in its relaxed position prior to being constricted by manipulations of nut 22, to cause the latter and the head of the bolt 20 to bear against eyes 18, the post support engaging portions or seats are so dimensioned that when the collar circumscribes the post, and is positioned with the post engaging portion 24 bearing against the post 14, there is enough room in the openings 27 between the post support engaging portions or seats 26 and the periphery of the post 14 to allow the loose entry of post supports 28 which, in the embodiment shown in the drawing consist of spare lengths of chain link fence top railing. However, as will be understood, it is within the contemplation of this invention that other and similarly dimensioned structural elements may be employed as post supports, including structural elements which are not necessarily of a circular cross-sectional configuration, so long as their transverse cross-section dimension is similar to the diameter of conventional top rail material, Lo. 1% inches.

As will be evident from a consideration of FIGURES l and 2, read in the light of the prior art including the Clatfelter patent mentioned hereinabove, the collar 16 is dropped down around a post residing at approximately the desired level within the hole 10. With the collar resting on the earth at the bottom of the counterbore 12, the ends of post supports 28 are slipped through the openings 27 and then held at the desired angle and then driven into the earth disposed under the counterbore.

After the post supporting elements are firmly embedded within the earth the post is then checked to be sure that it is residing at precisely the proper elevation. If it is slightly too high it can be forced down with hand pressure or by forceful application of a sledge against its upper end. If the vibration from driving the support members has caused it to slip downwardly a bit, it can simply be raised by hand to the proper elevation. In any event, once it is determined that the post is preferably positioned, the nut 22 is tightened upon the drawbolt 20 and the collar is thereby so constricted that the post engaging portion 24 thereof is drawn into fast binding engagement with the post 14, and the post support engaging portions or seats 26 are drawn into such fast binding engagement with the post supports 28 that the latter are drawn into fast binding engagement with the post 14, wherebythe post, the collar, and the post supporting elements come to operate as if they were one integral unit.

It will be seen from the above that the applicants invention will provide a highly satisfactory foundation or 4 support for a post encountering the high loads to which a chain link fence is subjected, particularly if that post happens to be utilized as a corner post or a gate post.

In FIGURES l-5 the invention is illustrated in an arrangement wherein the two post support elements 28 extend approximately at a right angle to one another (when viewed from the side), with each at an angle of about 45 from the post 14.

While this arrangement will, in the ordinary instance, provide a maximum degree of support, particularly when the axes of both post supports reside in the same general plane as the fence being installed, it will be recognized that it sometimes occurs that a post must be placed in a position which will make that particular arrangement impossible or, at the very least, highly impracticable. More particularly, when the post is placed closely adjacent some sort of foundation, e.g., the foundation of a wall, it will obviously be desirable that both of the post support members 28 extend in generally the same direction, as is illustrated in FIGURE 6. As will now be obvious, the applicants collar is so formed as to easily accommodate this type of problem. In like manner, it may be that the persons attempting to drive one of the post support elements which are arranged in the manner shown in FIGURES l and 5 will encounter a large rock which will make it difficult, if not impossible, to drive that element further. In that instance, the element can merely be retracted and placed at a somewhat different angle which will be likely to allow it to miss the rock and the element can then be quickly and easily redriven.

In short, while a collar formed in accordance with my invention does limit, to some extent, the available angle at which the post supporting elements 28 may be driven, the fact remains that it does allow for a substantial flexibility of choice in this respect and thus makes it possible for my invention to be used in places and situations wherein collars providing for a fixed angular relationship of the post supporting elements cannot provide a satisfactory result.

I have described my collar as being formed of rod stock. In the preferred embodiment, it is formed of a galvanized 7 inch circular steel rod with the post engaging portion having a peripheral length of about of a radian and the post support engaging portions having a length of about 1 /2 radians. However, it is contemplated that other drawn materials, of different sizes and crosssectional configurations could be similarly employed.

While the above description has emphasized the value of the use of my invention in association with posts which are employed as fence posts, it should be understood that my invention is equally useful in association with other posts such as, for example, the posts employed in connection with clothes dryers. If such other uses are of the type wherein the posts will experience substantial forces in more than two diametrically opposite directions, it may be found advantageous to use two of my collars disposed at a radial angle of one to the other so that there will be four post supports 28 extending in each of the four quadrants.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be restricted to specific details herein set forth, but wish reserved to myself any variation or modification that may appear to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A collar for binding post supporting elements to a post, said collar being formed of drawn metallic material of circular cross section, said collar being formed at each free end thereof to define an eye, each of said eyes being disposed to define parallel but spaced planes, said collar having a convexly curved post engaging portion having a peripheral length of about A of a radian, said post engaging portion being formed directly opposite from the opening between said spaced planes, a convexly curved post support engaging seat, having a peripheral length of seats residing in the same plane, said collar being so about 1 /2 radians, disposed on either side of the post endimensioned that the inner periphery of each of said ging portion and between said post engaging portion and post support engaging seats is spaced sufiiciently from the corersponding eyes, said post engaging portion and the post of predetermined outside diameter as to alsaid post support engaging seats residing in the same 5 low loose but directionally restricted movement of a plane, said last mentioned plane being disposed at right post supporting element extending through the space angles to said spaced planes. between the post support engaging seats of the col- 2. In a device for supporting a post, the improvement lar and the post, thus allowing a selection of angles which comprises and directions in which a post support passing therea one-piece split collar of substantially uniform crossthrough may be driven into the ground, each of said sectional configuration throughout its length, said collar having an opening therethrough and having opposed ends at the split therein spaced apart a predetermined distance to enable constriction of the opening through said collar when the ends are forced toward each other,

post support elements being forced into frictional engaging contact with said post and with said collar upon constriction of said collar by said tightening means, said collar being also drawn into frictional engaging contact with said post by the constriction of said collar by said tightening means.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2 wherein the post supporting elements comprise circular pipe of the type employed as top rails in chain link fencing.

tightening means operatively connected to said collar for causing relative movement of said ends toward each other, said collar being resilient to produce an opening bias whereby said collar automatically expands upon release of said tightening means, said collar having a post engaging portion located diametrically opposite from said split, said post engag- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS iflg Portion having an inner periphery shaped to at gaftfelter least substantial congruency with the outer periphery l e an of the portion of the post to be engaged thereby, FOREIGN PATENTS at least two post supporting elements of a predeter- 95,471 7/1922 Switzerland.

mined maximum transverse dimension in cross-section, said collar having a post support engaging seat on each side thereof, said seat being disposed intermediate of the split and the post engaging portion on diametrically opposite sides of the collar, said post engaging portion and said post support engaging HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

R. S. VERMUT, Assistant Examiner. 

2. IN A DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A POST, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A ONE-PIECE SPLIT COLLAR OF SUBTANTIALLY UNIFORM CROSSSECTIONAL CONFIGURATION THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH, SAID COLLAR HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH AND HAVING OPPOSED ENDS AT THE SPLIT THEREIN SPACED APART A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE TO ENABLE CONSTRICTION OF THE OPENING THROUGH SAID COLLAR WHEN THE ENDS ARE FORCED TOWARD EACH OTHER, TIGHTENING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID COLLAR FOR CAUSING RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID ENDS TOWARD EACH OTHER, SAID COLLAR BEING RESILIENT TO PRODUCE AN OPENING BIAS WHEREBY SAID COLLAR AUTOMATICALLY EXPANDS UPON RELEASE OF SAID TIGHTENING MEANS, SAID COLLAR HAVING A POST ENGAGING PORTION LOCATED DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE FROM SAID SPLIT, SAID POST ENGAGING PORTION HAVING AN INNER PERIPHERY SHAPED TO AT LEAST SUBSTANTIAL CONGRUENCY WITH THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF THE PORTION OF THE POST TO BE ENGAGED THEREBY, AT LEAST TWO POST SUPPORTING ELEMENTS OF A PREDETERMINED MAXIMUM TRANSVERSE DIMENSIONIN CROSS-SECTION, SAID COLLAR HAVING A POST SUPPORT ENGAGING SEAT ON EACH SIDE THEREOF, SAID SEAT BEING DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE OF THE SPLIT AND THE POST ENGAGING PORTION ON DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE COLLAR, SAID POST ENGAGING PORTION AND SAID POST SUPPORT ENGAGING SEATS RESIDING IN THE SAME PLANE, SAID COLLAR BEING SO DIMENSIONED THAT THE INNER PERIPHERY OF EACH OF SAID POST SUPPORT ENGAGING SEATS IS SPACED SUFFICIENTLY FROM THE POST OF PREDETERMINED OUTSIDE DIAMETER AS TO ALLOW LOOSE BUT DIRECTIONALLY RESTRICTED MOVEMENT OF A POST SUPPORTING ELEMENT EXTENDING THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN THE POST SUPPORT ENGAGING SEATS OF THE COLLAR AND THE POST, THUS ALLOWING A SELECTION OF ANGLES AND DIRECTIONS IN WHICH A POST SUPPORT PASSING THERETHROUGH MAY BE DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND, EACH OF SAID POST SUPPORT ELEMENTS BEING FORCED INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGING CONTACT WITH SAID POST AND WITH SAID COLLAR UPON CONSTRICTION OF SAID COLLAR BY SAID TIGHTENING MEANS, SAID COLLAR BEING ALSO DRAWN INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGING CONTACT WITH SAID POST BY THE CONSTRICTION OF SAID COLLAR BY SAID TIGHTENING MEANS. 